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In an age where we’re constantly seeking more bang for our buck, the savviest travellers are among those who come out on top, returning home from their travels with an envy-inducing jingle in their pockets.
From alternative transport to or from the airport to DIY excursions in the destination, there are plenty of ways to save cash on our adventures when we’re willing and able to put time aside and do our research.
Thankfully, the boffins at Skyscanner are on hand ahead of peak summer travel season, putting together the deals we should be looking into. Their latest guides, influenced by survey data collected in association with OnePoll, reveal the smarter alternative destinations for summer that we should all consider.
Other key findings from the study include that 76 per cent of respondents plan to take more holidays this summer compared to last year, maximising their travel time through flexibility and alternative destinations. UK travellers also say that shopping for summer travel essentials (46 per cent), discussing summer plans with friends and family (41 per cent) and checking the weather in their dream holiday destinations (37 per cent) are some of the best ways to get into holiday mode early.
Ways that Brits are prepared to make their summer holiday budget go further include travelling on a less popular week or day to get better prices (36 per cent), choosing destinations where their money goes further (33 per cent) and exploring new destinations they haven’t considered before (44 per cent).
With almost half of UK travellers still yet to book their holiday this year, Skyscanner’s Smarter Summer Report reveals there are still plenty of deals to be had. The cheapest week to travel this summer, based on flight search activity from the start of January to the end of March, between Monday 30 June and Sunday 31 August 2025, is the week commencing Monday 7 July. While such dates aren’t ideal for families ahead of the school holidays, they offer a great opportunity for others to enjoy affordable, guaranteed sun.
From historic German cities to underrated Moroccan hotspots and Irish hideouts that sit on many travellers’ bucket lists, these are places to consider for your next summer holiday.
The smarter alternative destinations this summer
The following is based on flight redirect data from Wednesday 1 January to Monday 31 March 2025, covering outbound travel between Monday 30 June and Sunday 31 August 2025
- Bremen, Germany (average flight price: £60)
- Poprad, Slovakia (average flight price: £68)
- Baden-Baden, Germany (average flight price: £73)
- Ouarzazate, Morocco (average flight price: £84)
- Strasbourg, France (average flight price: £88)
- Luxembourg (average flight price: £90)
- Eindhoven, Netherlands (average flight price: £91)
- Belfast, Northern Ireland (average flight price: £95)
- Shannon, Republic of Ireland (average flight price: £96)
- Rodez, France (average flight price: £105)